The Michael Aram Olive Branch Collection is one of the best known and most loved of Michael's motifs. The simple forms create objects that serve wonderfully as stunning individual gifts or an exuberant table setting that decorates an entire moment of your life. The theme itself captures all the most distinctive aspects of Michaels work narrative strength, deep symbolism and extraordinary sculptural expression.

"The olive branch has always held a powerful meaning for me representing both peace and victory. In designing functional objects with natural forms, there is a mingled sense of fragility and intensity. For me, it is like nature spreading through my interior spaces like a magical olive grove sweetly willing its way into my home."

Discover Michael Aram (126 sec.)
View the short video about artist Michael Aram which details his love for organic forms and the way he creates his art. Learn about his use of perfected hand crafted ancient techniques passed down from generations which infuses his work with sensuality and contemporary metaphor.

Product description:The Michael Aram Olive Branch Collection is one of the best known and most loved of Michael's motifs. The simple forms create objects that serve wonderfully as stunning individual gifts or an exuberant table setting that decorates an entire moment of your life. The theme itself captures all the most distinctive aspects of Michaels work narrative strength, deep symbolism and extraordinary sculptural expression.

"The olive branch has always held a powerful meaning for me representing both peace and victory. In designing functional objects with natural forms, there is a mingled sense of fragility and intensity. For me, it is like nature spreading through my interior spaces like a magical olive grove sweetly willing its way into my home."

Michael Aram is an American born artist who works primarily in metal. After studying fine art and living as an artist in New York in the late 1980's, Aram took what would later be a life-altering trip to India where he discovered rich metalworking traditions. Inspired to work with craftsmen whose skills he felt were greatly untapped, Aram turned his creative energies towards craft based design, setting up a home and workshop in New Delhi.

Aram's work reflects humanity through the directness of the handmade process, as each piece is lovingly made using age old traditional techniques. The artisan nature of the work imbues it with a soulful quality and an energy, which Aram feels is only possible with work, which reflects the hand of the maker. This energy is further enhanced by the tension of line, form, and meaning that is characteristic of Aram's work. As extraordinary objects, they cause us to pause and consider them, and therefore create a sense of ritual and ceremony in their day to day use.

The objects range from tableware to furniture, both are sold in galleries and specialty stores worldwide. This broad diversity embodies Aram's versatility as an artist who is comfortable working on private commissions, one of a kind piece for gallery shows, or pieces that are affordable to a wider audience.

Bridging the gap between the artist and artisan is a hallmark of Michael Aram's work. Whether in his narrative and figurative "signature" collection, or in his more contemporary 'studio' line, each piece is entirely handmade with no two examples ever exactly the same. The handmade quality of the work allows it to shift beautifully between the realm of fine and decorative art. This enduring melange of quality and originality sits comfortably at home in contemporary as well as in more classical interiors.

Appropriately, in Hindi, "aram" means "gently, with peace, with love and care". Repeating this direction mantra-like to the craftsmen, Aram succeeds in making high quality work, which is as much a personal statement, as its appeal is universal.